Rishi Sunak to summon UK university leaders to crack down on pro-Palestine protests

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was calling in vice-chancellors of universities to discuss the "unacceptable" rise in antisemitism and the "need for universities to be safe for our Jewish students".

The call comes as students at several UK universities - including Oxford, Cambridge and UCL - set up pro-Palestine encampments protesting against their universities' links to Israel and their alleged complicity in the war on Gaza.

Sunak's spokesperson said the prime minister expects universities to take "robust action" in dealing with the protests, as ministers are preparing new guidance for universities to follow in order to deal with what the Times called "potentially antisemitic protests and prevent outside groups from infiltrating campuses". 

Universities are also expected, under the conditions of registration, to have robust policies to prevent "harassment" of students on campus.

"Universities which breach their conditions of registration can be fined by the [Office of Students] and compelled to take the 'necessary actions' to address their concerns," the Times report.